Depression might be defined as having feelings of severe despondency and dejection. We have all felt a little depressed from time to time. However, it is when we experience depression symptoms over a period of time that we might want to seek some professional help.
Depression Symptoms
Depression affects people in a number of different ways. Symptoms can come and go or fluctuate over varying time scales. You might suffer from only of a few of the below symptoms or many of them will be familiar to you.
| Common Feelings | Typical Thoughts | Physical Symptoms | Common Behaviours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilt | I am worthless | Feelings of fatigue | Withdrawal |
| Irritable | It's my fault | Difficulty sleeping | Isolating |
| Unhappy | I am inadequate | Appetite changes | Experiential avoidance through substance abuse |
| Disappointment | My life is pointless | Fluctuations in weight | Difficulty concentrating |
| Sad | The world would be bette off without me | Muscle pains | Loss of interest in enjoyable activities |
| Miserable | I am a failure | Headaches | Struggling to complete every day tasks |
DSM-5 Depressive Disorder Criteria
DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder states
- Depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities for more than two weeks.
- Mood represents a change from the person's baseline.
- Impaired function: social, occupational, educational.
Specific symptoms in at least 5 of these 9, present nearly every day
- Depressed mood or irritable most of the day, nearly every day
- Decreased interest or pleasure in most activities, most of each day
- Significant weight change (5%) or change in appetite
- Change in sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Change in activity: Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Guilt/worthlessness: Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Concentration: diminished ability to think or concentrate
- Suicidality: Thoughts of death or suicide, or has suicide plan
Indications which may indicate depression include:
- Irrational worry
- Preoccupation with unpleasant worries
- Trouble relaxing
- Feeling tense
- Fear that something awful might happen
The likelihood of someone suffering from depression is influenced by biochemistry, genetics, personality and environmental factors. For example, continuous exposure to violence, neglect or abuse.
90% of people respond positively to depression therapy and or medication or a combination of the two. We advise you to consult your doctor if you feel you are suffering from depression.